Frozen beverage apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for dispensing a semi-frozen beverage is disclosed in which a freeze cylinder  12  for converting a beverage to a desired semi-frozen condition is positioned at a remote location from a dispense tap  10 . The freeze cylinder  12  is connected to the tap  10  by a flow line  13  for maintaining the semi-frozen condition of the beverage between the freeze cylinder  12  and the tap  10 . The flow line  13  may be insulated and additional cooling may be provided between freeze cylinder  12  and the tap  10 . The flow line  13  may be in the form of a re-circulation loop for returning semi-frozen beverage to the freeze cylinder  12  for re-conditioning. A dosing unit  71  may be provided for adding flavours, spirits or other components to the semi-frozen beverage such that a range of beverages may be provided for dispense from the tap  10.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention herein concerns improvements in or relating toapparatus for dispensing a semi-frozen beverage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Semi-frozen or slush ice beverage producing and dispensingmachines are well known in the art. Typically, a cylinder is cooled by arefrigeration evaporator wound around an external surface thereof. Waterand a particular flavouring are added into the cylinder and mixedtherein by the action of a scraper mechanism. Operation of arefrigeration system causes a fraction of the mixture to solidify on theinternal surface of the cylinder. The scraper mechanism is then rotatedto remove that fraction so that over time the entire interior volume ofthe cylinder is eventually filled with a semi-frozen slush beverage. Aproblem with existing slush dispensers lies in the fact that the numberof flavours of beverage that a slush ice making machine can dispense atany one time is limited by the number of freeze cylinders present in themachine. Thus, any one machine is typically limited to 1 to 4 flavours.Change of flavour requires the flushing of each cylinder with thesubsequent reconnection of a syrup delivery line thereof to an alternatesyrup flavouring source. To provide customers with a wide array offlavoured slush beverages requires the purchase and installation ofmultiple machines having the total number of cylinders as is needed tomatch the desired number of flavours. However, slush beverage making anddispensing machines are generally quite large and/or take up valuablecountertop space, and are relatively expensive to purchase and operate,especially for small retail locations. Accordingly, it would be verydesirable to have a semi-frozen beverage dispensing machine that iscapable of dispensing a wide variety of flavoured beverages and notrestricted by requiring the dedication of each of its on or morecylinders to a particular flavour.

[0003] Semi-frozen beverage making and dispensing equipment is alsohampered by the fact that it is restricted to dispensing the slushbeverage from each cylinder through a spigot secured in very closeproximity or directly to an end of each cylinder. This lack of locationof dispense flexibility is significant in a bar situation wherein thebartender is required to go directly to the machine to dispense thedrink flavoured slush, for example, a margarita flavoured slush mix.Whereas, from an efficiency point of view, it would be more desirable tohave some flexibility as to the point of dispense and have suchdispensing capacity ideally at one or more drinks preparation stations.This ability would also provide for more flexibility in where the slushmachine could be located. However, the problem with a dispense pointbeing remote from the slush equipment is the concern of the melting ofthe slush beverage as it travels from the freeze cylinder to the remotedispense point. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a slush drinkmaking and dispensing machine that can dispense slush beverage producedtherein to a remote location without diminution of the frozen quality ofthe beverage and do so in an economical manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly, the invention provides an apparatus to dispense asemi-frozen beverage which comprises freezing means for freezing aliquid to a desired semi-frozen state, and a flow line from the freezingmeans to a dispense tap, the dispense tap being mounted remotely fromthe freezing means. Thus, it will be appreciated that the dispense tapmay be mounted, for example, above a bar counter, and may be fitted intoa font-type housing, e.g. similar to those used for beer and lagerdispense, while the freezing means may be hidden remote from the tap,e.g. under the bar counter. In this way, by separating the dispense tapfrom the freezing means, the apparatus can be used in differentlocations with the freezing means and dispense tap connected by the flowline. We have surprisingly found that it is possible to dispense abeverage in a semi-frozen condition via a flow line and a remotedispense tap without loss of the physical condition and appearance ofthe beverage.

[0005] The freezing means may be of any type conventionally used andmay, for example, be a freeze cylinder as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,103,649 with particular reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 thereof. Theteaching of U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,649 in respect of its freeze cylinderarrangement and its electronic control system is by referenceincorporated herein. The dispense tap may be any tap suitable for thedispense of semi-frozen beverage products, as is well known in the art.It is preferably connected to the flow line by a shut-off valve, e.g. aball valve, that can normally be maintained open but which can be closedfor removal of the tap for cleaning. The flow line for delivery ofsemi-frozen beverage to the tap may be a rigid or flexible tube of foodgrade material and is preferably insulated to reduce heat loss from thebeverage in its travel from the freeze cylinder to the dispense tap. Forexample, the delivery tube may be encased in a sheath or jacket ofthermally insulating material.

[0006] Alternatively, or additionally, the delivery tube may be cooledby a coolant flow line extending for all or a substantial portion of thelength of the delivery tube. The coolant, which may conveniently be aglycol/water mixture, may be arranged to flow through a tube in heatexchange relationship with the beverage flowing through the deliverytube. In one arrangement, the coolant tube is arranged inside thedelivery tube so that the coolant is surrounded by the beverage in thedelivery tube. In another arrangement, the delivery tube is arrangedinside the coolant tube so that the coolant surrounds the beverage inthe delivery tube. The length of insulated delivery tube that can beemployed without loss of physical condition and appearance of thesemi-frozen beverage dispensed from the tap may limit the distance thetap can be spaced from the freeze cylinder.

[0007] In another embodiment, the flow line from the freeze cylinder tothe dispense tap takes the form of a re-circulation loop where thesemi-frozen beverage is returned to the freeze cylinder for re-freezingand re-circulation. In this way, the physical condition of thesemi-frozen beverage flowing around the loop is maintained, especiallybetween dispenses and the this may allow the tap to be positionedfurther from the freeze cylinder thereby further increasing the range ofoptions for installing the apparatus. The re-circulation loop may be arigid or flexible tube of food grade material and may be insulated toreduce heat loss as described previously. Alternatively or additionally,the beverage may be cooled by heat exchange with a coolant flowing in acoolant flow line as described previously. A pump may be provided in there-circulation loop to assist flow of the semi-frozen beverage aroundthe loop. The tap may be connected at any point around the loop and morethan one tap may be connected. In this way, several taps may be arrangedat different locations connected to the same freezing means. Thebeverage may be pre-mixed for supply to the freezing means.Alternatively, the beverage components may be mixed in the freezecylinder. For example, a base liquid such as a water/alcohol or awater/sugar mixture, may be supplied to the freeze cylinder from onesource and a flavour such as a syrup concentrate supplied from aseparate source. The latter may be beneficial where separation of thepre-mixed beverage components may occur or where there is a risk ofdegradation of the pre-mixed beverage.

[0008] In another embodiment, a semi-frozen base liquid such as awater/alcohol or water/sugar mixture is delivered from the freezecylinder in a semi-frozen condition to the dispense tap where a beveragecomponent may be added to produce a desired beverage. For example, thesemi-frozen base liquid may be modified by the addition of a flavoursuch as syrup concentrate. In a preferred arrangement, a dosing unit isprovided at a low pressure point for addition of different beveragecomponents to produce a range of beverages using the same semi-frozenbase liquid. For example, the dosing unit may be controlled in responseto user selection of a desired beverage to add the appropriate beveragecomponent or combination of beverage components during dispense of theselected beverage. Alternatively, or additionally, the user may be ableto select the additional component(s) to create a beverage of theirchoice. The dosing unit may comprise a manifold having separate inletsfor each component with valves, e.g. solenoid valves for controlling theaddition of each component. The additional components may be pumped orgravity fed. The valves may be arranged to open when the tap is openedor shortly thereafter and to close before dispense is completed to flushthe system with the semi-frozen beverage and remove any trace of theadded component(s). The valves may be set to dispense a pre-determinedvolume of the additional component(s). The invented apparatus hasapplication for dispense of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverageswhich may be carbonated or non-carbonated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] A better understanding of the structure, function, objects andadvantages of the present invention and its various embodiments can behad by way of reading the following detailed description which refers tothe following drawing figures, wherein:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one form of apparatusof the invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a portion of one embodiment ofthe invention.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a similar view to FIG. 2 of another embodiment of theinvention.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a similar view to FIGS. 2 and 3 of a further embodimentof the invention.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of another form ofapparatus of the invention.

[0015]FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a still further form ofapparatus of the invention.

[0016]FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of yet another form ofapparatus of the invention.

[0017]FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of yet a further form ofapparatus of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a freeze cylinder unit for use inthe invention.

[0019]FIG. 10 is a partially cut away side view of the freeze cylinderof FIG. 9.

[0020]FIG. 11 is an end view of the freeze cylinder of FIG. 9.

[0021]FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion of the unit of FIG. 10 inthe direction of arrows 12-12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Referring first to FIG. 1, apparatus for dispensing a semi-frozenbeverage is shown having a dispense tap 10 positioned above a bar top11. The tap 10 may be mounted in a font-type housing, as indicatedabove, with consumer-appealing design and a commercial logo but is shownmerely diagrammatically here. A freeze cylinder 12 is mounted beneathbar top 11 remote from the tap 10 and its outlet end is connected to tap10 via an insulated delivery system indicated generally the referencenumeral 13. The freeze cylinder 12, one type of which is described ingreater detail below with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12 is cooled by aremote refrigeration unit 14.

[0023] A product cylinder 15 containing a pre-mixed beverage, which maybe, for example, a spirit diluted with a flavouring and water, isattached via line 16 to a source (not shown) of compressed gas e.g. airor carbon dioxide, by which the beverage may be driven to the tap 10when the latter is opened. An outlet from product cylinder 15 leads vialine 17 to a carbonator 18 in which the beverage is carbonated on itsway to the freeze cylinder 12 via line 20. Where, as is the case here,the compressed gas used is carbon dioxide, the same source of gas mayalso supply carbon dioxide to the carbonator 18 via line 19. On openingdispense tap 10, pre-mix beverage from cylinder 15 is forced through thecarbonator 18 to the freeze cylinder 12 where it forms the desiredsemi-frozen consistency and then travels through delivery system 13 tobe dispensed through the tap 10.

[0024] With reference now to FIG. 2, there is shown one form of deliverysystem 13 for the apparatus of FIG. 1 in which the flow line from thefreeze cylinder (not shown in FIG. 2) to the dispense tap 10 isinsulated. The dispense tap 10 is mounted at the upper end of a fonthousing 21, the font housing 21 being mounted on a bar top 11. An outlet23 from the freeze cylinder is connected to the lower, inlet end of adelivery tube 24. At its upper, outlet end the delivery tube 24 isconnected to the dispense outlet 25 of the tap 10. The tube 24 isencased in a suitable thermally-insulating sleeve 26 and/or surroundedby an insulation layer (not shown). In this way, beverage in asemi-frozen condition can be delivered from the freeze cylinder to thetap 10 for dispense in good condition into a glass (not shown) from afont-type dispense unit. By way of example only, the delivery tube 24may be a standard food grade stainless steel tubing of outside diameter{fraction (1/4)} inch (6.35 mm) or {fraction (3/8)} inch (9.5 mm). Thedelivery tube 24 may have a vertical extent of, say about 400 to 450 mmso that the tap 10 be mounted a similar height above the bar top. Wherethe delivery tube 24 is encased in an insulation layer, 25 mm thick foaminsulation may be used.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown another delivery system13 for the apparatus of FIG. 1 similar to that of FIG. 2 but in whichthe delivery tube 24 is provided with additional cooling. Dispense tap10 is again mounted above a bar top 11 and is connected to the outlet 23of the freeze cylinder (not shown in FIG. 3) by a substantially verticaldelivery tube 34. A coolant tube 37 passes through the entire verticalextent of tube 34. A coolant mixture, e.g. glycol and water, can bepassed through tube 37, preferably in the opposite direction to thedirection of flow of the beverage, to maintain the cooled temperature ofthe semi-frozen beverage in the delivery tube 34. An insulation layer 35encases the delivery tube 34 to further assist in maintaining thedesired temperature of the semi-frozen beverage so it is delivered tothe tap 10 in good condition. At its upper end tube 34 leads to thedispense outlet 25 of tap 10 via an on-off valve 38. Valve 38 will bemaintained open when the apparatus is in use but can be closed for easyremoval of the tap 10 for cleaning by means of standard quick-releasefitting 39. By way of example only, tubes 34, 37 are made of food gradematerial and the coolant tube 37 may be of {fraction (3/8)} inchdiameter with the delivery tube 34 of 28 mm diameter. The delivery tube34 may have a vertical extent of, say about 400 to 450 mm so that thetap 10 may be mounted a similar height above the bar top. 25 mm thickfoam insulation may be used for the insulation layer.

[0026] With reference now to FIG. 4, there is shown yet another deliverysystem 13 for the apparatus of FIG. 1 in which additional cooling isprovided with a coolant similar to that of FIG. 3. Dispense tap 10 isagain mounted above a bar top 11 and is connected to the outlet 23 ofthe freeze cylinder (not shown in FIG. 4) by a substantially verticaldelivery tube 44. The vertical extent of delivery tube 44 is containedwithin an annular coolant tube 47. A coolant mixture e.g. glycol andwater can be passed through tube 47, preferably in the oppositedirection to the direction of flow of the beverage, as indicated by thearrows to maintain the cooled temperature of the semi-frozen beverage inthe delivery tube 44. An insulation layer 45 encases the coolant tube 47to further assist in maintaining the temperature of the semi-frozenbeverage so it is delivered to the tap 10 in good condition. At itsupper end, tube 44 leads to the dispense outlet 25 of tap 10 via anon-off valve 38. Valve 38 will be maintained open when the apparatus isin use but can be closed for removal and cleaning of tap 10 which,again, is attached by means of quick-release coupling 39. By way ofexample only, the delivery tube 44 may be standard food grade stainlesssteel tubing of outside diameter ¼ inch (6.35 mm) or {fraction (3/8)}inch (9.5 mm). The coolant tube 47 may be of 22 mm outside diameter. Thedelivery tube 44 may have a vertical extent of, say about 400 to 450 mmso that the tap 10 may be mounted a similar height above the bar top. 25mm thick foam insulation may again be used the insulation layer

[0027] In the above-described embodiments, a pre-mixed carbonatedbeverage in product cylinder 15 is supplied to the freeze cylinder 12from where it is delivered in a semi-frozen condition to the remotedispense tap 10 via delivery system 13 designed to maintain the beveragein the desired semi-frozen condition. Thus, the beverage dispensed fromthe tap 10 is the same as that contained in the product cylinder 15 butwith the physical condition altered from liquid to semi-frozen. In amodification (not shown), the product cylinder 15 may contain a baseliquid, for example a spirit diluted with water, that is delivered tothe freeze cylinder 12 via the carbonator 18 where it is mixed with oneor more additional components such as a syrup concentrate supplied tothe freeze cylinder 12 from a separate source to produce the beverage.In this way, mixing of the beverage occurs within the freeze cylinder 12which may have advantages for particular beverages where storing thepre-mixed component in product cylinder 15 may be a problem, for exampleif the pre-mixed components separate within the cylinder 15 so that theproduct drawn off may vary. As will be appreciated, whichever of thesemethods is employed, the semi-frozen beverage supplied to the tap 10 isthe same for each dispense and a separate apparatus is required fordispensing more than one type of semi-frozen beverage.

[0028]FIG. 5 shows a modification to the apparatus of FIG. 1 that can beused to dispense a variety of different semi-frozen beverages. Forconvenience, like reference numerals are used where appropriate toindicate parts corresponding to those described previously. The productcylinder 15 contains a base liquid, for example a spirit diluted withwater, that is passed via carbonator 18 to the freeze cylinder 12 whereit is converted to the desired semi-frozen condition. From freezecylinder 12, the semi-frozen base liquid is supplied to dispense tap 10via a flow line 70 which may consist of any of the delivery systems 13already described herein. As shown, the semi-frozen base liquid suppliedto the tap 10 may be mixed with one or more additional beveragecomponents supplied to the tap 10 from a dosing system 71 via line 72.The additional components may be flavourings, e.g. syrup concentrates,spirits, e.g. vodka, gin etc or any other beverage component that may beadded to modify the base-liquid. The dosing system 71 may comprise amanifold connected to separate sources for each additional beveragecomponent with individual valves controlling the addition of eachcomponent to the semi-frozen base liquid for dispense of the desiredbeverage from the tap 10. As will be appreciated, this arrangementallows selection and dispense of different beverages, e.g. cocktails, byadding one or more components to the same base liquid. In this way, theapparatus can produce a range of beverages according to user choice.

[0029] The selection and addition of such components may be achieved viaa control system which allows the user to select a desired beverage andoperates the appropriate valves to release the required components foraddition to the base liquid. For example, a control pad with touch, pushor dial selection may be provided for the user to select and input adesired beverage. The release of the additional component(s) may becontrolled so that dosing begins with or slightly after initial dispenseof the semi-frozen base liquid from the tap 10 and ends before thedispense of semi-frozen base liquid. In this way, the semi-frozen baseliquid flushes the tap 10 during the final part of the dispense cycle sothat no trace of the additional components remains in the tap 10 whichcould contaminate the next dispense. As a further safeguard againstcontamination, a non-return valve 73 may be provided upstream of thepart where additional components are introduced to prevent back-flowinto the delivery system 13. In the above-described embodiments, thedistance the tap 10 can be spaced from the freeze cylinder 12 may belimited by the length of the delivery tube that can be employed tomaintain the semi-frozen beverage in good condition for dispense fromtap 10.

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown another arrangement forremotely connecting the tap 10 to the freeze cylinder 12 with a dosingunit 71 for release of additional beverage component(s) to a semi-frozenbase liquid supplied to the tap 10 from the freeze cylinder 12. In thisarrangement, the flow line for supply of semi-frozen base liquid fromthe freeze cylinder 12 to the dispense tap 10 is in the form of are-circulation loop 80. As shown, the dispense tap 10 and dosing system71 are connected to the recirculation loop 80 via a non-return valve 73and a pump 81 is provided to pump the semi-frozen base liquid around theloop 80 back to the freeze cylinder 12. Returning the semi-frozen baseliquid to the freeze cylinder 12 for re-freezing and re-circulationassists in maintaining the base liquid in the desired semi-frozencondition for each dispense and may allow the tap 10 to be positionedfurther from the freeze cylinder 12 than the previous embodiments. Theoperation of dosing unit 71 to provide a range of beverages from acommon semi-frozen base liquid is the same as described previously.

[0031] The embodiments of the apparatus above-described are suitable fordispensing semi-frozen carbonated beverages. FIGS. 7 and 8 showembodiments of apparatus similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 that are suitable fordispensing non-carbonated beverages. In these embodiments, thecarbonator 18 is omitted and may be replaced by a pump 90 and/or asupply 91 of non-carbonated gas such as nitrogen connected to theproduct cylinder 15 to drive the base liquid through the apparatus inresponse to opening tap 10. In other respects, the operation of thesearrangements is similar to that of FIGS. 5 and 6 and will be understoodfrom the description of those embodiments. It will be understood thatthe apparatus of FIG. 1 could also be adapted to provide dispense of anon-carbonated beverage in similar manner.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 9 to 12 there is shown a freezing unit 100suitable for use in the apparatus of the invention. The unit 100 has afreeze cylinder box 116 containing two beverage cylinders 120 a and 120b. The box 116 has a harvesting assembly drive or beater motors (notshown) for each cylinder 120 a, 120 b. Each cylinder 120 a, 120 bincludes a scraper or harvesting assembly having a central axial rod122, scraper blade support beater bars 124 and scraper blades 126pivotally secured to beater bars 124. Each cylinder 120 a, 120 b has aheat transfer coil 133 a, 133 b (the latter only being visible in FIG.10). Refrigerant or coolant is delivered to coils 133 a, 133 b and mayflow from the coils to a common outlet. Temperature sensors may bepositioned to the coolant inlet and outlet lines. As best seen in FIG.10, heat transfer coil 133 b encircles cylinder 120 b and it will beunderstood that heat transfer coil 133 a likewise encircles cylinder 120a. Two pairs of heaters 146 a and 146 b having stainless steel tubebodies 148 sealed at one end 149, are welded to the individual coils 133a and 133 b respectively. It can be seen by referring to FIG. 11 thatheater pairs 146 a and 146 b are secured to their respective coils 133 aand 133 b at positions thereon approximating to five and seven o'clockaround the perimeter thereof.

[0033] Each heater 146 a and 146 b includes a heating element 150 havingwires 151 for connection to a source of electrical power. Tube bodies148 have an inside sized to allow for slideable insertion of elements150 therein. In addition, it has been found desirable to plate thesurfaces of the tubes 148 with copper to provide for improved heatdispersion. Heaters 146 a and 146 b extend substantially along theentire length of heat transfer coils 133 a and 133 b and terminate withopen ends 152 of the heater bodies 148 arranged externally of rear plate154 of cylinder box 116 (see FIGS. 10 and 11). Thus means are providedto defrost the unit 100 when necessary. As is known in the art, aftercylinders 120 a and 120 b, and associated heat transfer coils 133 a and133 b, and heaters 146 a and 146 b are secured to cylinder box frontsurface plate 155 and rear plate 154, the remaining interior or voidareas of cylinder box 116 may be filled with a foam insulation 156.

[0034] It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to theembodiments shown and described herein. The heater elements of thefreezer unit of FIGS. 9 to 12 are not essential. Where defrost means aredesired to be used, other conventionally available means may beemployed. Means to defrost may be provided for example by passing liquidwhose temperature is above that of the semi-frozen beverage through theheat transfer coils. Suitable liquids include water or a glycol/watermixture. In an alternative means, heated refrigerant gas may be passedthrough the heat transfer coils. A single freeze cylinder or a greaternumber of freeze cylinders may be employed depending on the dispensequantities required. The freeze cylinder or cylinders may either beremote from or adjacent to the refrigerant or coolant supply. Theapparatus of FIG. 1 could be modified to employ a re-circulation loopwithout dosing of additional components where such re-circulation isbeneficial to maintain the condition of the semi-frozen beverage. Morethan one dispense tap may be connected to a re-circulation loop allowingthe apparatus to provide dispense of semi-frozen beverage at differentlocations. Where provided, the dosing unit may be provided with anynumber of additional components for addition to a common base liquid.Other modifications and changes will be apparent to those skilled in theart that will not exceed the spirit and scope of the invention as isdefined by the claims herein.

In the claims:
 1. An apparatus for making and dispensing a semi-frozenbeverage comprising: a means for freezing a liquid to a desiredsemi-frozen state and retaining a volume of said semi-frozen beveragetherein, a flow line from the freezing means to a dispense tap, thedispense tap being mounted remotely from the freezing means so that saidsemi-frozen beverage can flow through the flow line and be dispensed atthe remote location from the tap by operation thereof, and the flow linebeing insulated and having a cooling line in heat exchange contacttherewith for maintaining of the semi-frozen beverage in its semi-frozenstate.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the coolant tube isarranged inside the delivery tube so that the coolant is surrounded bythe beverage in the delivery tube.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the delivery tube is arranged inside the coolant tube so thatthe coolant surrounds the beverage in the delivery tube.
 4. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the flow line takes the form of are-circulation loop for returning semi-frozen beverage to the means formaking and retaining a volume of semi-frozen beverage
 5. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the dispense tap is removably connected tothe flow line by a shut-off valve that is normally maintained open butwhich can be closed for removal of the tap for cleaning.
 6. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the flow line is a rigid tube. 7.The apparatus according to claim 1, and where the flow line is aflexible tube of food grade material.
 8. The apparatus according to anyone of claim 4 wherein a pump is provided in the re-circulation loop toassist flow of the semi-frozen beverage around the loop.
 9. Apparatusaccording to any one of claim 4 wherein one or more taps are connectedat any point around the re-circulation loop.
 10. An apparatus for makingand dispensing a semi-frozen beverage comprising: a means for freezing aliquid to a desired semi-frozen state and retaining a volume of saidsemi-frozen beverage therein, a dispense tap for selectively dispensingthe semi-frozen beverage from the means for freezing the liquid andstoring the semi-frozen beverage, a dosing machine for dosing one ormore flavourings into a base semi-frozen beverage as the semi-frozenbeverage is being dispensed from the tap.
 11. The apparatus according toclaim 10 wherein the dosing unit is controlled in response to userselection of a desired beverage to add one or more of the one or moreflavourings to the base semi-frozen beverage.
 12. The apparatusaccording to claim 10 wherein the user can select one or more of the oneor more flavourings to create a semi-frozen beverage of their choice.13. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the dosing unitcomprises a manifold having separate inlets for each one or moreflavouring and having one or more valves for each of the one or moreflavourings for controlling the addition thereof to the base semi-frozenbeverage.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the one ormore valves are arranged to open when the tap is opened or shortlythereafter and to close before dispense is completed to flush the systemwith the semi-frozen beverage and remove any trace of the added one ormore flavourings.
 15. A method of dispensing a semi-frozen beveragecomprising the steps of providing a supply of a liquid, delivering theliquid to a freezing unit, converting the liquid to a semi-frozencondition in the freezing unit, delivering the semi-frozen liquid to aremote dispense tap and optionally dosing the semi-frozen liquiddelivered to the dispense tap with one or more additional components toproduce a desired semi-frozen beverage for dispense from the tap. 16.The method according to claim 15 wherein the dispense tap is connectedto a re-circulation loop and further including the step of returningsemi-frozen liquid to the freezing unit.